Chapter 6-Something's not right.
Disclaimer- you know the drill, except the plot and anything which is not present in the original series, everything belongs to the GREAT KUBO TITE.
'Thoughts'
'Normal'
'Spirit/Zampakuto'
"You went through all this just you can see me" Masaki asked with tears in her eyes.
"Oh nii-chan, you went through all this so that we can have our Okaa-san back said Yuzu hugging her mother with teary eyes.
"I never thought that I would have a brother that would do anything despite the consequences to keep his family happy. We are sorry for our previous behavior and please forgive us to not listen to you but you must know it's not everyday that some random guy approaches us and say 'hey I am your brother.'" Said Karin almost on the verge of tears and was hugging her new brother and playfully slapping his arm.
"Yes Ichigo, I am happy that my family is once again complete and I've got my son back which I had not known until now." Masaki said while beckoning him to come and hug her, which he gladly did. Karin came to hug them from side while Yuzu was already on the other side. Isshin with a big goofy grin yelling something like "THE GREATE FAMILY HUG" dived to join the hug which everyone sidestepped causing him to slide on the floor face first and destroying several furniture in his wake. They laughed heartedly forgetting that there was ever an awkward situation between them. Isshin soon stood and joined them. At last they were one; at last they were happy as a complete family once again. And for once Ichigo was not wearing his scowl. Yes, he was happy at last.
I know, most of you readers must have thoughts this was. But you forget we talking here about our favorite strawberries life and as the great KUBO TITE has depicted it, it's nowhere that simple. And the family was not to be easily moved especially with Karin's nature. I mean seriously, what you guys were thinking? As for Ichigo, the first thing he heard when he completed his story was…..
"Ok, so you are telling me that our mother, the first ever arrancar, was killed by mere hollow? And you want us to believe all the shit you told us so far." Karin said, feeling angry and full of suspicion, not wanting to believe the fact that their mother have died in a possible past. Also his grab was not helping in the least.
"No I never said to believe me. I just stated the truth. If-" before he could complete Masaki cut him.
"Actually Karin what Ichigo has said can be quite correct. As he said a hollow killed me 9 yrs ago, it can be quite true because at that time both me and your father were not able to use our powers and were living like normal humans, but the function of our gigais, to convert the spiritually active soul into a mere human soul, was somewhat disturbed due to spiritual activities going in the town. It is only due to that fact that we are able to use our powers now." Karin and Yuzu nodded in understanding. Though Yuzu was somewhat believing that it was possible and also want to believe due to being soft at heart but for Karin it was not enough. Due to being and older sibling and character of her father, she had taken upon herself to see the wellbeing of the family and she was not about to give up her role. She needed more information until it leaves no room for suspicion.
"But how can we believe him to be our brother out of blue. His story is too much to believe in."
"Ok then how about this? I'm your long lost brother who you all recently came to know about, Urahara can confirm it by DNA test and constituent of my spiritual particles."
"Fine by me. But remember even if remotely possible your claims prove to be false I will kick your ass to the next century." smiled Karin finally giving him an ok certificate to join the family.
"Yay, I always wanted an older brother." Squealed Yuzu.
"You are quite adorable. If you promise to behave yourself I believe I have no problem with that. Beside I don't mind having one more child to take of." Smiled Masaki.
"AND I WILL MAKE YOU STRONG AS A FATHER SHOULD MAKE HIS SON-"
"Cut it goat-beard. He has not even got used to this family and you started your ranting." Said Karin throwing him to the wall.
"Good throw my daughter." said Isshin giving thumbs up to Karin.
Ichigo was happy (of course it's an understatement). Finally the things were getting into place. They were together once again, they were family once again. Of course they had still to accept him until after the test reports but that was enough for now. What could be more pleasing than that? Nothing more he wanted. Nothing more he desired. All what he wanted was granted. What he truly wishes was granted. Yea he was happy. They decided to ask for gigai for him from Urahara and some modern clothes for which he readily agreed. The clothes were comfortable but he felt out of place in them.
They began to talk about the life they had when their mother was not with them. They were a normal family chatting, joking just normal family stuff, Isshin's antics and Karin and Ichigo beating him to pulp only for him to be up ones again and continue his antics. After seeing such incidents Karin mused that what Ichigo said could be right and he was truly her brother. There was no way any other being; be they living or dead, to dodge and counter those attacks save for the kurosaki family. Suddenly they felt a shinigami approaching. He or she had fukutaicho class reiatsu.
"Now what the hell do they want?" Grunted Isshin opening the door. The last thing he ever wanted was a shinigami near his family disturbing his quality family time.
"My deepest apologies for disturbing you without notice at such an hour but I request an audience with kurosaki Ichigo." Said the strawberry blonde shinigami.
"Who wants me dad….oh, Rangiku-san." Ichigo appeared behind his dad.
"Ichigo-dono, the soul society has arranged a party for celebrating your victory over Aizen. Please accept the invitation of the party. I am here to escort you there." Wow who could think that Rangiku Matsumoto would be so formal? At least he never heard her so formal. Wait. What party?
"…My victory?" asked Ichigo in a confused tone. They were not the one to celebrate so casually.
"They are trying to get on your good side at the time when they see necessary." Whispered Isshin.
"What should I do then?"
"Go enjoy my son and make sure you bring a third daughter and make me grandfa-umph" but was cut by Ichigo by connecting his fist on his face.
"You should really change yourself, you know that." Said Ichigo in an irritated tone.
"Well then I accept the invitation." He said facing Rangiku who suddenly felt nervous feeling his gaze on her.
"Follow me Ichigo-dono." She said regaining her composer, gesturing him to follow her.
Ichigo noticed his father had not moved "Are you not coming dad?"
"Nah, I need to take care of things here and the last thing I will ever want to pay a visit to soul society." Giving a knowing look towards Ichigo. Then he took a few strands of Ichigo's hair much to his dismay.
"What the-"
"Well if you hadn't noticed you are going to a party and if you will not return on time in the morning, which I am sure you will not, I will take them to Urahara for the tests. Well then enjoy my son"
Giving him a big goofy grin and wishing luck he retreated inside the house. Ichigo saw his dad move inside the house and sighed. Even if he was back in the family he still doubted if he was happy to get back his father. But then again if he was not that way he could never consider his life normal. Then he faced Matsumoto and sensed fear from her.
"Relax Rangiku-san it's just that my power are little wild this time. But don't worry; I have it under control now."
"Please follow me." She said, a bit more relaxed and began opening a senkai. But Ichigo stopped her.
"If you don't mind I have my own way of travelling and its way faster and safer than this. If you could agree…."
Suddenly Rangiku found herself standing in serieti. She looked at him in disbelief and awe and fear and…..well you get what I mean? Seeing her reaction Ichigo chuckled lightly.
"Just a small demonstration of my power if you are wondering."
"S-Sorry Ichigo-dono, I was startled. I must inform the captains of your arrival and inform the guards to close the senkaimon. I'll be back in a while. Then I will guide you to our destination."
"Don't bother; I know my way pretty well from my…um…last visits? I'll be good on my own." Ichigo quickly dismissed her offer.
"Alright then and also…" she bowed down, her forehead touching ground "Thank you for speaking in favor of Gin, he means a lot for me."
Ichigo was felling rather awkward. He never thought of people bowing in front of him but seeing this, he knew that he was not the type who wanted anyone to bow in front of him, ever. It just felt awkward.
"You don't need to do that you know. It was just truth what I told to them and I can't stand seeing somebody getting weighed down for what they didn't do. And I think you already know but he really cares for you. And for that honorific, just call me Ichigo the next time we meet. Ok? I am just same as you (except that my life is more twisted than I could even imagine). We can be good friends. See you in some."
She stared at him for sometime in amazement and then a smile grazed her lips. "Thanks Ichigo, see you in the party then." She flashed a genuine smile and flash stepped away towards the senkai gate.
"Wow a complete different Rangiku-san. I bet she used to act that way to hide her pain. Now that Gin is back she will be a complete different personality."
Sighing and wondering what other things might have changed he moved around the nearest division, The Eleventh Division, at any other time he would be terrified to death for going there but today somehow he was confident, what could possibly be go wrong? At the worst case scenario, he could accidently kill Zaraki. He berated himself for even thinking about a fight with Zaraki, his powers were new and he must be careful with them or he could accidentally and easily wipe out the division, hell he can easily wipe out whole serieti or the whole soul society. Ok, it gone too far stop right there. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't noticed that he was in the middle of the street in a strange grab (at lest for the Shinigamies. Bet they had never seen anyone in clothes other than their black Shihakusho or white captain hoari. He sensed fear sparkling in them seeing an unknown being whose resistsu they could not sense making them wonder if he was weak but his clothes speaking for themselves adding the fact that their instincts were telling them to stay out of his way for the love of their life. Their hand automatically moving to grab their zampakutoes which were not present with them. This did not go unnoticed by him. He chuckled remembering that they were not allowed to carry their soul cutters unless in case of emergency, the last time they were made to carry their zampakutoes with them because of him and his friends when they raided to save Rukia from execution. Zampakuto… This thought struck him like a lightning bolt. He moved his hand to grab Zangetsu's hilt. But it was not present there. He felt a pang in his heart. Zangetsu was not with him. His companion, a part of soul was absent. Suddenly he felt empty. Where were they? Quickly he searched his mind for any trace of Zangetsu. How can he forget about him, all this time, even at the time of fighting with Aizen he never even felt his absence. Never even once thought about him. He was so habituated about his absence that he didn't even noticed he was not there when his powers were back. but that's not an excuse.
Suddenly he felt some sort of voice inside his head. Like someone was calling him. He concentrated on the voice.
"Zangetsu is that you?"
"Zangetsu? Surely you have mistaken me someone else kid"
Suddenly a voice filled his head. It was definitely not Zangetsu. It sounded much more different from Zangetsu's cryptic voice and something else which he could not put his finger on. Something was familiar about this voice yet not. Who was this voice if not Zangetsu?
"Who...who are you?"
"Me? Why don't you know me? I am you kid."
Now it's scaring me. The voice is me? It's like his hollow was back. He panicked.
"Me? What? How? That can't be. I am me. So you can't be me. Are you my inner self just like my Zampakuto spirit?" it better be Zampakuto spirit.
"Yes and no. I am a spirit but unlike ordinary shinigami Zampakuto spirit which resides in their inner world, I'm one with you, which simply means I'm you. Got me so far?"
"Um…no." He was dumb fold. He was absolutely sure he was going crazy. Earlier he thought having his hollow in his head was enough but now he would trade the new voice with his hollow. At least he was clear in his intention about killing him but this being was spewing nonsense. How could he be me when I'm me and…ok I need to stop thinking before I give myself a headache. He suddenly stopped.
"Wait a sec. it was you who was plotting those unnecessary thoughts in my mind" but the spirit ignored his declaration and continued with his enlightment.
"Didn't you find it strange that during conflicting Aizen never once you took your fighting stance nor desired for your Zampakuto which because of a lot of practice had become your second nature?"
Now that it mentioned it, he never noticed. That did strike a point.
"You mean you were controlling me?"
"You speak as if I'm some outer being who has no authority over your body."
"Is it not?" this conversation was becoming more and more complex.
"What if I say while talking to me you is talking to yourself?"
"But will mean I am CRAZY."
"Isn't the world crazy enough?" Ichigo felt his inner self smirking. He decided to give in. There was no way he will completely solve it by himself but only make it more and more complex. He will ponder over it in the presence of Urahara. After all if someone had any idea about this new spirit in his mind it was either Urahara or the spirit king himself, there was no other because in his brief stay in the king's palace he didn't witnessed any other soul. But there was something he needed to know.
"How could I tell that my actions are caused by me or by you?"
"We are one and the same. Actions taken by me will be equally sought by you, unless you are unaware of your powers, otherwise no difference"
"Your point is?"
"Just accept the fact and get on with it, and forget that I ever said something about such thing. Will ya?"the voice was sounding irritated, which he was sure was exactly of same frequency as his.
"Ok, Ok calm down. Say...Even though I have such high spiritual pressure why don't I affect the people around me like Aizen, Even though my spiritual pressure is more than him?"
"If it makes sense than his spiritual pressure was artificial, obtained by force, whereas your pressure was granted to you by Spirit King himself. Since yours is natural like that of Captain Commander it won't affect people around unless you want otherwise. Other than that you are completely in case of resistsu, unless you make so, they are not able to sense even a tiny amount of spiritual pressure from you. But you don't need to know about them now. We will learn about them slowly, right now don't worry we will have plenty of time. But be aware that there will be some side effects. Until next time. Bye~"
Ichigo waited for a moment for the voice to disappear. Ever wondered that the most important facts about the incident comes in our mind when the incident has already ended, same was here with Ichigo.
"Hey wait a sec. How come you are female even though I'm a male? Hey!"
No answer. The voice was gone and Ichigo was left alone within an empty pathway wondering what the hell just happened.
Author's note:
Inuyashaket: Thank you for all you reviews. Today I received most positive comments.
Ichigo: um Inuyashaket, not all were positive. One has pointed out your some mistakes.
Inuyashaket: is that so? Um…. Yeah now that you mentioned it, thanks damanio for pointing that out but you're on the same boat as me. I know you know what I'm talking about. But all the same, thank you.
Spirit king: that's why I was telling you to get a beta reader. Any one out there interested?
Ichigo: hey Inu, I was meaning to ask you something. If my inner spirit is a mirror of my self then why the hell is it female?
Inuyashaket: oh that. It's something akin a twist.
Ichigo: Akin?
Inuyashaket: don't ask about it. It for future, it's a surprise.
Ichigo: Which I'm sure I'll not like it.
Inuyashaket: oh don't be such a spoil sport. And yes (turns towards readers) REVIEW.
Spirit king: Don't worry brother it will pass.
Ichigo: tell me that when you will be subjected to his imagination.
P.S- The next chapter will be quite long. I'm not sure how long but it will be somewhat unexpected.
Bye and please please and please Review.